Second rare King Columbus monkey born at Paignton Zoo
The newborn joins Limba, another young king colobus born last autumn
Last updated 1 day ago
Paignton Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a second endangered king colobus monkey, marking the zoo's first animal birth of 2026.
Born to 23-year-old Ivy on the 1st February, the newborn joins Limba, another young king colobus born last autumn, within the same family group.
King colobus monkeys are classified as endangered due to habitat loss and hunting across parts of West Africa, where the species lives in forested areas.
European zoos collaborate through breeding programs to help safeguard species like the king colobus by maintaining healthy, genetically diverse populations.
Nadia Gould, Team Leader of Mammals at Paignton Zoo, said:
“We are incredibly proud to be part of a wider breeding programme that helps protect species like the king colobus.
"These births are the result of careful planning and years of collaboration between zoos, all with the aim of safeguarding the future of these animals.”
Ivy is also mother to Lola, who gave birth to Limba in October last year (2025).
Both babies were sired by Limbali, an unrelated male introduced as part of a managed breeding program.
Limbali sadly died just weeks before Limba's birth.
Visitors can see the new born in the Monkey Heights exhibit, with her bright white coat making her easy to spot.
At three months old, Limba has transformed with dark fur and a distinctive white-grey cape.
Paignton Zoo say her confidence and playful behaviour regularly catch the attention of visitors.
Monkey Heights is now home to three babies with the king colobus infants joined by Koidu, a Diana monkey born last summer and affectionately known as the zoo’s “miracle baby”.
Nadia Gould, Team Leader of Mammals at Paignton Zoo, said:
“Having three babies in Monkey Heights at the same time has brought such a lovely energy to the zoo.
"Seeing visitors’ reactions when they spot them is always a highlight, and it gives us a great opportunity to talk about how endangered these species are and why breeding programmes like this are so important.”
The new arrivals coincide with Paignton Zoo's transition to new ownership under Libéma, alongside its sister site Newquay Zoo.
Paignton Zoo say the births "signal an encouraging start to a year of transformation" with new exhibits planned.